Klein's paradox in a four-space formulation of Dirac's equation

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Foundations of Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00733274· OSTI ID:7012306

Evans, A B ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Otago, Dunedin (New Zealand)

Klein's paradox - the prediction by Dirac's equation of the anomalous reflection of electrons from a large potential barrier - has attracted the attention of physicists for several decades. Assessments of its significance vary widely: Some say that it is unimportant, because the problem is resolved by second quantization, but for others it represents a real failure of quantum electrodynamics. Here, a 4-space formulation of Dirac's equation gives results formally identical to those of the usual Klein paradox. However, some extra physical detail can be inferred, and this suggests that the most extreme case involves pair production within the potential barrier.

• OSTI ID: 7012306
• Journal Information: Foundations of Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Foundations of Physics; (United States) Vol. 21:6; ISSN FNDPA4; ISSN 0015-9018
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

662220* -- Quantum Electrodynamics-- (1992-)
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIRAC EQUATION
ELECTRODYNAMICS
EQUATIONS
FAILURES
FIELD THEORIES
FUNCTIONS
INTERACTIONS
PAIR PRODUCTION
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PARTICLE PRODUCTION
POTENTIALS
QUANTIZATION
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
SECOND QUANTIZATION
WAVE EQUATIONS
WAVE FUNCTIONS